Dutch court says rabbi can be extradited to Israel on sex abuse charges
An elderly rabbi wanted in Israel on sexual abuse charges can be extradited, a Dutch court said on Thursday.
Eliezer Berland (77) was arrested at Schiphol airport in September 2014 but released from custody the next day. Justice minister Ivo Opstelten will take the final decision on the extradition.
The claims against the rabbi first emerged in 2012 and since then he has managed to keep out of Israel’s hands, spending time in the US, Switzerland, Morocco, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The extradition hearing was delayed at the end of last year after Berland’s lawyer said most of the offences he has been charged with relate to events which occurred in parts of Israel beyond the borders recognised by the Netherlands.
The Haarlem court on Thursday dismissed that claim, as well as suggestions that it would be inhuman to send him back to Israel because he is in poor health.
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.
We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.
Make a donation